They have jobs. And obligations. They have relationships. And stress. They have aches and pains from their soccer games and track meets. They could benefit from sharing their life triumphs – and their frustrations – with friends, either by receiving, or extending support.

There needed to be a place to go with all of that.

For many of us, there is something about yoga that restores so much of the mind and the body.

That’s why Jody Margolis, director of the Center for Inclusion & Special Needs, thought a yoga class would be the perfect addition to the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC’s program for those with disabilities.

The program is called Chaverim, and it provides classes twice a week to give adult opportunities for social, recreational and educational development.

And for more than a year now, the program also offers yoga twice a month.

“I like it – to relax,” said Michael Torres, who has been going to the JCC for 24 years, playing soccer, running track and bowling. And now he’s added Chaverim yoga to his routine. “It feels good.”

Chaverim yoga – which means “friends” in Hebrew (and is pronounced “HAV a reem”) – is both a meditative practice and physical stretching and strengthening exercise. And like all yoga, it can be adapted and modified for any ability. In this case, many of the participants use chairs.

The benefits are wide ranging. Physically, yoga promotes flexibility and stretching to help with recovery and performance.

Padraich “Drake” Spence is a multi-sport athlete – basketball, volleyball, bowling, track. His job at Eggers Imprint keeps him pretty busy and he doesn’t always play as many sports as he used to. But he still wants to remain active.

And he’s noticed that yoga has helped him with that.

“At first I thought yoga was mainly for just females,” Spence. “Now I see that it can be for anybody. It’s a good way to not only burn off some calories but also a great way to take away your stress. Make you relax. And to make you feel more flexible. I believe yoga helps my legs feel more flexible during soccer season.”

Padraich "Drake" Spence practices Chaverim yoga.(Photo: Lori Nickel)

There are other benefits to practicing yoga as well, especially for the mental health side. Meditation practices, focusing on breathing and calming the mind are also parts of yoga practice.

Sydney Selig is a soccer, basketball and bowling athlete and yoga helps her with those sports, but for her, another benefit of being a yogi is that it helps her manage the demands of her full schedule. She works at Noodles & Company in Shorewood on Oakland Ave.

“I’ve noticed it when we go out; Sydney will often get frustrated,” Margolis said.

“’We talk about taking, what?’” Margolis asked Selig.

“A deep breath,” said Sydney. “I’m working on that. It’s to relieve stress.”

Leading the class through breathing techniques, relaxation methods and poses is instructor Minda Devorkin.

“She’s brought such a sense of compassion to the program,” Margolis said. “She cares so much. And in turn they’ve learned a lot of self-confidence through yoga, they have learned how to take a moment.”

Devorkin said that of all the benefits of yoga – learning how to be present, taking a break from the pressures of the day, and body acceptance – yoga can also help with a population looking to gain independence.

“Definitely,” said Devorkin. “The benefits – especially for this group – are an increased sense of being in their bodies and connecting their mind and their breath and their body. Understanding their bodies in space. Learning how to trust themselves. Learning that they can go to an edge and find flexibility and balance and strength- and discover things that they never knew they could do.”

The Chaverim program offers so much, from art projects to dining out, events like Jazz in the Park, sporting events and live theater. They have stress and relaxation workshops. These are not just pathways to greater independence, but opportunities to be social, which Margolis said is an important, but sometimes overlooked, part of healthy living.

“A lot of them will tell you, this has become their second home,” Margolis said. “They are so comfortable here, it’s given them a sense of self-confidence and belonging and community.

“This is their place."

The Chaverim yoga has become a popular part of the overall program. It began with 12 members with “chair yoga” because most participants had some sort of balance issue. Now the class has 25 participants and many have graduated to mat yoga.

“It’s a great way to make new friends,” added Spence. “Whether you have disabilities or not - lots of people are very shy. We have someone in our group that is shy. And even though it may seem that she is not really connecting much, I believe in her own way, she is trying.

“If you try sports, you will meet the greatest people you’ll ever know,” said Spence.

Torres, Selig and Spence all acknowledged that it can be intimidating to try something new. Especially when it comes to the gym. Walking in to an exercise class or yoga class for the first time, not knowing anyone, or what to expect, can be hard.

They want us to try it anyway.

“You can do it and you’ll be great at it,” Selig said .

“Try it and have fun,” said Torres.

“You never know what you can do – until you try,” said Spence. “Like me, I was really round when I was young. And I was very un-athletic. Now, look at me – I’m less round. And I am completely athletic. And flexible.

“You give it a try - believe me, it will turn your life completely around. Like it did for me.”

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